Iontophoresis

Iontophoreis
Introduction of Ions Into The Body Using Direct Electrical Current Transports Ions Across A Membrane Or Into a Tissue It is a Painless, Sterile, Noninvasive Technique Demonstrated To Have A Positive Effect On The Healing Process

Iontophoresis vs Phonophoresis
Both Techniques Deliver Chemicals To Biologic Tissues Phonophoresis Uses Acoustic Energy (Ultrasound) To Drive Molecules Into Tissues Iontophoresis Uses Electrical Current To Transport Ions Into Tissues

Pharmacokinetics of Ion Transfer

Transdermal iontophoresis delivers medication at a constant rate so that the effective plasma concentration remains within a therapeutic window for an extended period of time.

Therapeutic window - the plasma concentrations of a drug which should fall between a minimum concentration necessary for a therapeutic effect and the maximum effective concentration above which adverse effects may possibly occur.

Pharmacokinetics of Ion Transfer

Iontophoresis appears to overcome the resistive properties of the skin to charged ion Iontophoresis decreases absorption lag time while increasing delivery rate when compare with passive skin application Iontophoresis provides both a spiked and sustained release of a drug reducing the possibility of developing a tolerance to drug

Pharmacokinetics of Ion Transfer

Rate at which an ion may be delivered is determined by a number of factors

The concentration of the ion The pH of the solution Molecular size of the solute Current density Duration of the treatment

Pharmacokinetics of Ion Transfer

Mechanisms of absorption of drugs administered by iontophoresis similar to administration of drugs via other methods Advantages of taking medication via transdermal iontophoresis relative to oral medications

Concentrated in a specific area Does not have to be absorbed within the GI tract Safer than administering a drug through injection

Movement of Ions In Solution

Ionization- Soluable compounds dissolve into ions suspended in solutions that are called electrolytes Electrophoresis- Movement of ions in solution according to the electrically charged currents acting on them.

Movement of Ions In Solution

Cathode = Negatively charged electrode

Highest concentration of electrons Repels negatively charged ions Attracts positively charged ions Accumulation of negatively charged ions in a small area creates an acidic reaction

Movement of Ions In Solution

Anode = Positively charged electrode

Lower concentration of electrons Repels positively charged ions Attracts negatively charged ions Accumulation of positively charged ions in a small area creates an alkaline reaction

Movement of Ions In Solution

Positively charged ions are driven into tissues from positive pole Negatively charged ions are driven into tissues from negative pole Knowing correct ion polarity is essential

Movement of Ions In Tissue

Force which acts to move ions through the tissues is determined by

Strength of the electrical field Electrical impedance of tissues to current flow

Movement of Ions In Tissue

Strength of the electrical field is determined by the current density

Difference in current density between the active and inactive electrodes establishes a gradient of potential difference which produces ion migration within the electrical field
Active

electrode- the one being used to drive the ion into the tissue

Movement of Ions In Tissue

Current density may be altered by

Increasing or decreasing current intensity Changing the size of the electrode

Increasing

the size of the electrode will decrease current density under that electrode.

Movement of Ions In Tissue

Current density should be reduced at the cathode (negative electrode)

Alkaline

reaction (+ions) is more likely to produce tissue damage than acidic reaction(ions) Thus negative electrode should be larger (2x) to reduce current density.

Movement of Ions In Tissue

Higher current intensities necessary to create ion movement in areas where skin and fat layers are thick further increasing chance of burns around negative electrode Sweat ducts are primary paths by which ions move through the skin and act to decrease impedance facilitating the flow of direct current as well as ions

Movement of Ions In Tissue

The quantity of ions transferred into the tissues through iontophoresis is directly proportional to

Current density at the active electrode Duration of the current flow Concentration of ions in solution

Movement of Ions In Tissue

Once the ions pass through skin they recombine with existing ions and free radicals in the blood thus forming the necessary new compounds for favorable therapeutic interactions

Iontophoresis Techniques

Iontophoresis Generators

Produce continuous direct current * Assures unidirectional flow of ions

*One study has shown that drugs can be delivered using AC

current

Iontophoresis Generator

Intensity control
1

to 5 mA Constant voltage output that adjusts to normal variations in tissue impedance thus reducing the likelihood of burns Automatic shutdown if skin impedance reduces to preset limit

Iontophoresis Generator

Adjustable Timer
Up

to 25 min

Iontophoresis Generator

Lead wires
Active

electrode Inactive electrode

Current Intensity
Low amperage currents appear to be more effective as a driving force than currents with higher intensities Higher intensity currents tend to reduce effective penetration into the tissues Recommended current amplitudes used for iontophoresis range between 3-5 mA

Current Intensity
Increase intensity slowly until patient reports tingling or prickly sensation If pain or a burning sensation occur intensity is too great and should be decreased When terminating treatment intensity should be slowly decreased to zero before electrodes are disconnected

Current Intensity
Maximum current intensity should be determined by size of the active electrode Current amplitude usually set so that current density falls between 0.1-0.5 mA/cm2 of the active electrode surface

Treatment Duration
Treatment duration ranges between 1020 minutes with 15 minutes being an average Patient should be comfortable with no reported or visible signs of pain or burning Check skin every 3-5 minutes looking for signs of skin irritation Decrease intensity during treatment to accommodate decrease in skin

Traditional Electrodes
Older electrodes made of tin, copper, lead, aluminum, or platinum backed by rubber Completely covered by a sponge, towel, or gauze which contacts skin Absorbent material is soaked with ionized solution Ion ointment should be rubbed into the skin and covered by some absorbent

Commercial Electrodes

Sold with most iontophoresis systems Electrodes have a small chamber covered by a semipermiable membrane into which ionized solution may be injected The electrode self adheres to the skin

Electrode Preparation

To ensure maximum contact of electrodes skin should be shaved and cleaned prior to attachment of the electrodes Do not excessively abrade skin during cleaning since damaged skin has lowered resistance to current and a burn

Electrode Preparation

Attach self-adhering active electrode to skin

Electrode Preparation

Attach self-adhering active electrode to skin Inject ionized solution into the chamber

Electrode Preparation

Attach self-adhering active electrode to skin Inject ionized solution into the chamber Attach self-adhering inactive electrode to the skin and attach lead wires from generator to each

Electrode Placement

Size and shape of electrodes can cause variation in current density (smaller = higher density) Electrodes should be separated by at least the diameter of active electrode

Wider separation minimizes superficial current density decreasing chance for burns

Selecting the Appropriate Ion

Negative ions accumulating at the positive pole or anode

Produce an acidic reaction through the formation of hydrochloric acid Produce softening of the tissues by decreasing protein density-useful in treating scars or adhesions Some negative ions can also produce an analgesic effect (salicylates)

Selecting the Appropriate Ion

Positive ions that accumulate at the negative pole

Produce an alkaline reaction with the formation of sodium hydroxide Produce hardening of the tissues by increasing protein density

Selecting the Appropriate Ion

Inflammation

Edema

Dexamethasone (-) Hydrocortisone (-) Salicylate (-)

Hyaluronidase(+) Salicylate (-) Mecholyl(+)

Zinc(+)

Spasm

Open Skin Lesions

Calcium (+) Magnesium(+) Lidocaine (+) Magnesium (+)

Scar Tissue

Analgesia

Chlorine(-) Iodine(-) Salicylate(-)

Treatment Precautions

Problems which might potentially arise from treating a patient using iontophoresis may for the most part be avoided if the athletic trainer

Has a good understanding of the existing condition which is to be treated Uses the most appropriate ions to accomplish the treatment goal Uses appropriate treatment parameters and equipment set-up

Chemical Treatment Burns

Most common problem is a chemical burn which occurs as a result of direct current itself and not because of the ion being used

Continuous direct current creates migration of ions which alters the normal pH of the skin Chemical burns typically result from accumulation of sodium hydroxide at cathode Alkaline reaction causes sclerolysis of local tissues Decreasing current density by increasing size

Thermal Treatment Burns

Thermal burns may occur due to high resistance to current flow created by poor contact of the electrodes with the skin

Electrodes are not moist enough Wrinkles in the gauze or paper towels impregnated with the ionic solution Space between the skin and electrode around the perimeter of the electrode Body weight resting on top of electrode